The Benue State Police Command arrested 13 people suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of Housing/Urban Development Commissioner Ekpe Ogbu and others in the Benue South senatorial district.
No fewer than five people were kidnapped within the Senate district in December, including a Catholic priest, the commissioner, his driver, an aide and one other person.
In a statement issued by Command spokeswoman Catherine Anene, Benue Police Commissioner CP Wale Abass was said to have ordered the deployment of tactical teams to the southern part of the state to track down kidnapping syndicates that group In the area.
“As a result of this deployment, men from Operation Zenda JTF have followed and arrested 12 people in connection with the kidnapping case that occurred on December 4, 2022, involving the Housing/Urban Development Commissioner, Hon. Antonio Ogbu.
“A certain Mohammed Omachoko, who specializes in preparing protection charms for kidnappers, David Ejembi, Aondongu Akighir, also known as “Too Proud” and Teryima Peter, were arrested on their way to buy weapons for the group.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of nine other gang members, two locally made Baretta pistols loaded with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from them. The suspects confessed to the crime,” the statement added.
Anene said that the CP urged the inhabitants of the state to provide useful information to the police so that they can catch the thugs within their communities.
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